Archive for June, 2024

A not so compendious ‘bit’ on travel

Happy Saturday morning. Just think, today is the start of the 2024 ‘Tour de France’. While we’re sitting back, maybe with feet up enjoying our morning coffee, all over people are peddling, walking, and running, and riding.

As I’m writing my brother Pieter and his grandson, Wyatt, are about to start their bicycle trip crossing The Netherlands from West to East.

And, reflecting on my travels of a few weeks ago, there was plenty of riding, pedaling, and much walking and climbing. All this we’ll explore today.

“Moorish” influx – has finally arrived to the ‘Nati – this too is part of traveling these days. For some time now I’ve come across videos of people who pride themselves on being “Moorish” Sovereign Citizens. A clap-trap wayward group who drive the authorities crazy with their “we’re traveling and we’re not driving” jargon.

Under this ‘umbrella’ they seem to believe that there is little need for them to be on the road with a driver’s license, Insurance, or vehicle registration.

Invariable their arguments fail, nevertheless much like the dandelion crop in your yard, they keep on springing up (the internet is a powerful thing).

Now, mere blocks from my home I spotted this auto (car, vehicle, conveyance – whatever they call it) parked by the curb. Whoever owns the ‘thing’, I wish them luck. Happy traveling!

Traveling in all of its forms – Here is a quick compilation of all that it takes to get around Europe.

First, be prepared to do a lot of walking and climbing. My little wrist gizmo had never been so busy.

  

Then, be prepared to pedal. Pedal a bunch! In our case, by day two of our stay we found ourselves sitting on a saddle for five hours while we explored fields, canals, and historic towns (Monnickendam in this case.

   

   

The above clip is of the new 7,000 bicycle garage built underneath the canals in front of the Amsterdam Centraal Station (Amsterdam’s main train station)

Then, be amazed at just how well the public transportation system operates. Everything from buses and trams to short rail and long-distance high speed ‘bullet’ trains – 184mph was the top speed in our case. Wait times never exceeded 10-minutes in our case it averaged 6-minutes or less.

  

Polynesian fun – Last week I mentioned that we’d be heading up to Beavercreek, OH for an evening of Polynesian dance, music, and food. What made it special is the focus and costumes specific to each of the many island nations. Then, just how Marcia and I, as proud grandparents, enjoyed watching Vai and Vili participate. It was quite and evening.

Here’s a short piece of one of the dances – the Poi Ball dance.

Life is AMAZING!

May Peace prevail! Shalom.

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Question: Now that we’re finishing up the never ending, twenty weeks of Pride Month, in the US, which of the following is observed throughout the entirety of July?

1) National Watermelon Month
2) National Hot Dog Month
3) National Ice Cream Month


canapé lit deux places?
06 22nd, 2024

Happy Saturday morning. And actually, this week’s title; ‘canapé lit deux places’ is a bit of a lie. These past weeks crisscrossing Europe I slept well and did so comfortably. In fact, these past weeks have been beyond expectations and memorable to the extreme.

Even down to remembering that back at home we were getting close to running out of coffee. So, in downtown Berlin, I popped into a nearby Aldi’s (a ‘Nord’ branch one) and picked up a 1,000g bag. Schlepped it around for a week, and yes, entering the USA it was given a quick test for nasty drugs, but this morning I am sitting here drinking a wonderful mug of Barissimo’sCaffé Gustoso’. Good stuff.


The most difficult ‘bit’ is catching up on the time and sleep deprivation – but I’m managing both. The other is shifting from temperatures hovering in the high 70s to being subjected to a week-long onslaught of high humidity coupled with real-feel temperatures between 101 and 105F. My body isn’t yet willing to accommodate.

Marcia keeps extending her arms – palms out, hands wiggling, and tossing out the words; “So Sorry”. That’s our current favorite way of saying; “No More”. Seems she has heard the many, ongoing stream, of my travel tales one too many times.

In all honesty it’s been difficult to not get caught up with the retelling of one happening after another.

Hence, I will just relate one bit (and possibly add to this a little on subsequent weeks). Let me know if that satisfies.

The Polynesian – community in SW Ohio is having a festival this evening in Beavercreek, OH. Tevita, our master roaster, is doing a pig. Vaioleti and Viliami are involved in dances (complete with Polynesian dress), Vili in the Polynesian intimidation Haka dance, and both in the working of Hawaiian Poi balls. This proves that there is absolutely no slow-down with our life here in the ‘hood’.

The trek home – As you might guess, detailing my crossing the pond on the way home tells my tale in reverse order – so be it. Subsequent weeks will have details of a different single stand-out event. So, stay tuned as my tale unfolds.

These days all of Europe is wrapped up in the UEFA EURO 2024 soccer tournament. One of the many cities hosting is Munich. We, Kirstin, Derek and Kellen, and Moi, were there for the German-Scottish match. The ‘Tartan Army’ ruled the city. Whole city squares were wrapped in song; “No Scotland No Party”.

A day later I was on a train heading for Amsterdam and my flight home (Kirstin and the boys flew out of Munich). Boarding I had a table seat and except for a few Germans the wagon was filled with partying Scottish lads heading for their team’s next venue.

When I say “partying” it’s serious stuff. They were awaiting my arrival with a cold brew on the table. And a never-ending stream of ‘brewskies’ kept on coming. Singing in the aisles and hugs all around. What a time!!!

Oh, oh, a problem. First, a broken train ahead of us had us stuck in a tunnel for 40 minutes. An hour later the train again stopped. This time for Police up the track time to clear drunks of the same track (this is a bullet train mind you). Traveling and massive delays are not conducive to efficiency and deadlines.

In this case I missed my connection to Amsterdam from Dusseldorf – and that was the LAST train of the night. Horrid for catching my early morning flight.

With some help from my compatriot partygoing Scotts and a German lady who came from a village a few kilometers from where I was born, I was parked in front of the Station’s, Deutsche Bahn railroad manager. 20-minutes later I was on a pre-paid (courtesy of Deutsche Bahn), new Mercedes taxi van which dropped me off at Terminal 3 – Schiphol airport Amsterdam at 3AM.

      

Life is AMAZING!

I won’t bore you with the details of delays and other hiccups and lack of Customer Service concerns by United Airlines. Let it be said that my scheduled 3:00PM return to the ‘Nati’ was magically moved to 9:00PM.

Now – Welcome back to my readers. Thanks for hanging in

May Peace prevail! Shalom.

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:
Question, answer in subsequent weeks. French Huguenots favored:

1) John Calvin
2) City of Berlin
3) Dutch Poffertjes
4) Soccer
5) Gouda Cheese
6) EV Bicycles
7) Rocky Road ice cream